- Description
Tap Dance America is a reference work of bibliographic information and does not point to digitized versions of the items described. The Library of Congress may or may not own a copy of a particular film or video. To request additional information Ask a Librarian.
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Paula Abdul's "Straight Up" / Paula Abdul [television/video]
- Title
- Paula Abdul's "Straight Up" [Television/Video]
- Performer
- Abdul, Paula
- Published/Created
- 1989
- Genre
- Television/Video
- Abstract
- Born Los Angeles, California June 19 1963, Paul Abduhl created the first music video to utilize tap dancing ("Straight Up").
Music television video. Abdul's "Straight Up" (released Winter 1989) opens with a solo a capella tap dance that is aggressive, funky, and technically proficient. "Straight up now, tell me do you really want to love me forever" she sings. As in a warrior's dance before battle, Abdul uses tap to prepare herself for the oncoming confrontation. She dances with force, commitment, and underlying passion. Seeing her lay down her rhythms, you know she has the strength required to stand up to her rather ominous-looking boyfriend. Her attire (leather pants and jacket) adds to the "don't mess with me" look. The shoes she dances in are obviously not the ones making the tap sounds, although she never appears to miss a beat. The taps were dubbed in later, a technique that has been in practice since Fred Astaire's day.
(Dorothy Wasserman, "Paula Abdul Tps on Music Video" ITA Journal vol I, no. 3, spring 1989, p. 12). - Source
- International Tap Association: On Tap! International Tap Association Newsletter. Also titled ITA Journal. Published by the International Tap Association ().
Last Updated: 12-16-2015